Love, Wrinkle-free
wogma rating: Beg or borrow, but do watch (?) - If only to ensure that more indie films are made and released in India
Debutante director Sandeep Mohan’s quirky characters and the Goan setting make this a truly enjoyable film, one that will make you happy about the movies once again. Films like this need to be supported so that more such films are made and more young filmmakers feel the need to express themselves.
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PVR’s initiative to release independent films is turning out to be a boon for filmmakers who find it hard to release their films in today’s day and age because of ‘lack of commercial viability’. Love, Wrinkle-free, directed by debutante Sandeep Mohan, is a film that needed to be released, because it is rare to find a film with such charm and honesty coming out of India today.
Set entirely in Goa, the film is essentially the journey of a married couple, Savio and Annie, going through what can best be described as a mid-life crisis. He wants to follow his inner calling – selling his own brand of innerwear. She wants to prove to herself and the world that she’s still good enough to be a choir singer, even though the choir would rather have younger singers. And their adopted daughter Ruth has identity issues of her own. She can’t come to terms with the fact that she has ‘small eyes’. Along the way, they meet a host of mad characters who, for want of a better word, complicate their story just a little bit more.
This little charmer of a film is driven by its characters and their journey to come to terms with their self-image. The characters are consistently quirky, and their interactions, though not always ‘haha’ funny, are laced with such belief and are so grounded in reality, that they always evoke laughter.
The film is embellished by earnest performances by the entire lead cast. Ash Chandler, playing Savio, is pitch-perfect as the perpetually hassled middle class man looking to make his family proud of him. Shernaz Patel as Annie - the slightly obsessive-compulsive woman is excellent as well. Sohrab Ardeshir as the local Goan don adds that extra madness to the proceedings. Seema Rahmani, playing a spunky tourist who strikes up a bond with Savio, is a natural. Last seen in Sudhish Kamat’s Good Night, Good Morning, she seems to slip into characters that she plays with ease.
What truly makes Love, Wrinkle-free’s thoroughly entertaining watch is the indie spirit behind the film. There seems to be no wish to conform, no urge to tell a story with a necessary start and end. The film starts somewhere bang in the middle of the characters lives and ends somewhere in the middle as well. You can’t help feel that the story of the characters will continue even after you have walked out of the cinema hall, but the characters and their mad escapades will continue. The core of the film - the underlying theme of identity and image, of one’s looks and the concept of youth - will strike a chord with everyone.
Setting the film in Goa is another factor that adds to the flavor of the film. The attempt isn’t to show Goa the way you would to a tourist. It exists in the background, calm, serene but always there. The earthy colour tone complements the film well.
At a time where people get away with tripe saying, 'I don't make films for critics', Love, Wrinkle-free comes as a breath of fresh air. This is the kind of film that is bound to make you smile.
This review is by guest reviewer Pradeep Menon. Pradeep is a filmmaker and a dreamer. He loves books, rain, winters, tea and his parents. Cinema, however, is the only truth he believes in. He breathes and bleeds film, mostly in hues of saffron, white, green and blue. You can watch his short films at www.youtube.com/cyberpradeep.
Thumbs up, by Nandita Dutta, DearCinema : ...The film derives its beauty from the seamless writing which is punctuated with humour at the right moments. It is a romantic comedy with the right amount of sensitivity towards family, identity and mid life crises.... full review
Thumbs up, by Haricharan Pudipeddi, Desi Martini : ...Although blessed with a promising, entertaining plot, LWF goes little awry in the second half due to its stretched second half.... full review
Thumbs up, by Blessy Chettiar, DNA : ...The simplicity of director Sandeep Mohan’s subject is evident. His strength is his characters, all well-etched. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...a film that’s a delight for the senses. It’ll make you laugh, make you feel, and will get you intricately involved with the characters’ lives. Don’t miss! ... full review
So-So, by Pooja Rao, Bolly Spice : ...The film, on a whole isn’t close to being perfect. There are long stretches, and after a point it becomes evident that the maker is struggling to keep the tempo horizontal, but for a first time filmmaker, Sandeep Mohan charms you with his focused direction.... full review
So-So, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ...despite the deficiencies, LOVE, WRINKLE-FREE is watchable and appealing, is humorous and amusing, especially because the director and the lead actors get it right. Deserves a watch... full review
So-So, by Deepa Deosthalee, Film Impressions : ...it's charming in its own way, not the least because of the pristine setting in an old-world Goa with quaint houses, pretty streets, lush seascapes and a robust soundtrack that tries to keep the spirits high even as the story flags.... full review
So-So, by Priyanka, Gomolo.in : ...The story is good, but it can’t keep you hooked for long. Many sub-plots in the film lead to an unsatisfactory ending in spite of having some funny moments.... full review
So-So, Live Mint : ...It’s musical, chilled out, quirky and the pace is susegad (laid-back). Watching this film will surely make you nostalgic for Goan music, bebinca and beaches.... full review
So-So, Movie Talkies : ...one does end up feeling that the film could have been a bit crisper as there are times, especially in the second half, when the viewer might end up feeling that the story is losing its pace.... full review
So-So, by Mansha Rastogi, Now Running.com : ...the battle starts from there as despite of a very quaint Goan typified setting along with brilliant characterization, Sandeep lags in his script which stretches beyond tolerance and sags into lethargic monotony.... full review
So-So, by Swati Rohatgi, STARDUST : ...Love Wrinkle-Free is a cute little film that makes for a one time watch. Could’ve been better had it been for a water-tight script.... full review
So-So, by Madhureeta Mukherjee, Times of India : ...It's simple, pure, and breaks cosmetic cliches - that's the beauty. But halfway through the film, the wrinkles steep deeper, in the script that is. ... full review
Thumbs down, Daily Bhaskar : ...Power-packed performances, a good concept, direction, dialogues and music are the strengths of the film. Screenplay, editing and cinematography fail to create an impact. ... full review
Thumbs down, Free Press Journal : ...Acting wise , all actors manage to lend distinctive traits to the characters they assay. Unfortunately the underwritten screenplay doesn't allow for any great histrionics.... full review
Thumbs down, by Rahul Desai, Upper Stall : ...Love Wrinkle Free, though sincerely made with a lot of spirit and dollops of witty one-liners, fails to fall in place as a final product- and delivers only for those with an exotic taste for the eccentric. ... full review
WordAddict_: Watched 'Love, wrinkle-free'. A nice, light low-budget film. Stellar actors, lovely setting. Go for it if you want nice entertainment.
tHeMomenTmAn: Love Wrinkle-free must be watched.
parmeshs: Pls go see Love Wrinkle Free. It's the funniest most heartwarming film I've seen in a while. (With Goa, edible underwear and more :-P )
panchal_akshay: Love Wrinkle Free Is An Outstanding Movie
ohkhalid: Love, Wrinkle-free, a surprise indie packet, pleasant comedy set in Goa. Loved Shernaz Patel...
MohitRaich: Hey ya'll, go check out "Love WrinkleFree"....killer costumes! #MohitandAastha
MissMalini: Love Wrinkle Free – A Feel-Good Film With Eclectic Performances by Sorabh Adershir, Shernaz Patel, Ash Chandler... http://fb.me/16rrBJbZC
KetakiSavnal: Had a busy evening but managed to squeeze in love, wrinkle free. A little predictable and meandering but all in all a fun watch!
Fattiemama: If you haven't watched it yet, GO! Love, wrinkle-free – Movie Review http://shar.es/qhmPL via @sharethis
arunbt: 'Love, wrinkle free' was a great entertainer with loads of laugh with a salsa flavour! must watch! Plays only... http://fb.me/1p9ZInuO3
upayogkartanaam: Love wrinkle free- same old but put in a different manner..
samanthaR88: Too many wrinkles: Love, Wrinkle-Free is one of those films that mix charm and tedium in equal doses. Debutant d... http://bit.ly/KMpwzG
sarikagrover: #love wrinkle free: completely wrinkled. Too slow , slightly Random and amateurish . Some good acting though.
KolhapuriChapal: Small, independent films must be given a chance but Love, Wrinkle Free is just so tedious. :|
This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.
Parental Guidance:
Required perhaps, more to understand the underlying themes of the film than anything else.
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Comments (1)
I thought the movie began well but somewhere devolved from quirky to bizarre. Whatever were Ashwin Mushran & they guy who plays his dad doing in the film? Their roles felt totally pointless & instead of adding depth, only made the movie unnecessarily complicated.
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